O.K. to answer some of the questions;
The scope is a 3-9or10? X50 A cheap Simmons scope I bought on clearance (actually bought 3, put 1 on my step-dads 45-70 as a gift) I had a Nikon 3-9 X40 on my Buffalo Classic and yes the Cheap Simmons 50 objective let in more light than the Nikon 40 but again that is what a larger objective is supposed to do.
LaOtto and myarmor I am actually in y'all same shoes I also just got the new 444 a couple of weeks ago, I chose the Checkered Camo-Laminate stocks to replace the pallet-wood and I have yet to mount a scope on it, considering a Nikon, Leupold or Zeiss but I definitely want a 50 objective; My intended use is a deer-hunting rig so it may be different from your intended use. As you may or may not know the 444 pictured is the Ultra with the old 1:38 twist, the new ones have the 1:20 so thats why I'm rigging up another to shoot the Leverevolution ammo as the ballistics are better/flatter.
The terrain where pictured is a creek crossing on hardwood mats, I shot all 3 at 80-90 yds. in a hardwood bottom in South Mississippi on my property, the 444 Handi is a legal Primitive Firearm for our deer season here, During Firearm Season I hunt with a Remington 700 30-06 mostly; although I do have Lever 30-30 and a new Bolt-action 300WSM which I also need to mount a scope on.
Yes the Interpretations were correct it was no doubt a Momma cat that was giving chase on the rabbit she was the only 1 chasing and the others were not even around till several minutes later, they actually came to hunt their momma all 3 were killed within 20-30 feet of each other, they were not very small kittens and the young male had paws much bigger than mommas.
Yes they are definitely Varmints/predators here, Bobwhite Quail pop. dwindling, not as many rabbits as when I was younger, and I'm sure they get some squirrels and of course I have to protect our Wild Turkeys; we have cattle though I don't view them as a threat to them.
Hurricane Katrina has also changed our local landscape as all our biggest Oaks were blown down and now instead of a fairly open-shaded understory we have briar's and thicker understory, (ambush sites for turkey predators) which has and will continue to cause Predator populations to explode and since the Fur prices are of little to no value and no one traps anymore, well we have to keep them in check for the local wildlife if nothing else.
Bob A a lady asked me something similar "Why did you kill 3 bobcats?"
I replied "well cause I didn't see the 4th 1!"
As for as damage from the 444; the other sides of the cats are not as photogenic for the average possible cat-loving Forum member! I used Discretion when placing, and I do admire them for their Beauty and as a Predator with great stealth, its amazing how they blend so well, only when they would move could you pick them up against the leaves in the hardwoods.
I am gonna get a Rug done with the biggest cat.
Thanks, and will be glad to answer any other ?s
